Baby foot support

ABSTRACT

A baby foot support is used to assist in changing a baby&#39;s diaper. The device can be easily folded, telescoped and/or disassembled for transport, for example in a diaper bag. A base includes a suction cup for removably attaching the base to a flat surface. A support arm has a first end that connects to the base and a second end that connects to a pair of tethers. A pair of cuffs connected to the tethers removable attach around the ankles of a baby to support the baby&#39;s feet to assist on changing the baby&#39;s diaper. Several types of support arms are described including a two-part arm with a sliding connection between the arms, a telescoping arm, and an articulating arm. A range of fasteners may be utilized, such as captured or removable wing bolts.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to devices for assisting in changing baby diapers and, more particularly, to a portable device for supporting a baby's feet while changing the baby's diaper.

BACKGROUND

Changing a baby's diaper can be a trying experience, especially for someone who does not regularly perform the chore. The challenges are often exacerbated when changing a diaper away from home where the necessary items are packed away in a diaper bag. For example, the person changing the diaper may get half way into the job only to realize that the wipes, ointment or powder are still in the diaper bag. Trying to retrieve the wipes, open the package, and extract a wipe with one hand while holding the baby's feet out of the mess with the other hand can be very difficult. Having to do that again with the ointment and then the powder can be exasperating. Letting go of the baby's feet for only a few seconds can make matters even worse, particularly with a squirming or crying infant. There is, therefore, a continuing need for a better approach to diaper changing.

SUMMARY

The present invention may be embodied in a baby foot support for assisting in changing a baby's diaper. A base includes a suction cup for removably attaching the base to a flat surface. A support arm has a first end that connects to the base and a second end that connects to a pair of tethers. A pair of cuffs connected to the tethers removable attach around the ankles of a baby to support the baby's feet to assist in changing the baby's diaper. A range of fasteners may be utilized, such as captured or removable wing bolts. The baby support device can be folded, telescoped and/or disassembled to facilitate storing and transporting the device.

In a first example embodiment, the support includes a first bar with a channel. A first fastener attaches a first end of the first bar to a yoke of the base at various angles with respect to the base. A second fastener attaches a first end of a second bar at various positions along the channel of the first bar. The opposing end of the second bar is attached to the tethers. The second fastener allows the second bar to be attached at various angles with respect to the first bar. Another example embodiment uses a telescoping support arm.

Another illustrative configuration includes an articulating arm. This type of support arm has a first arm and a first fastener that attaches a first end of the first arm to a yoke of the base at various angles to the base. A second fastener connects a second end of the first arm to a first end of a second arm at various angles to the first arm. The tethers are attached to the opposing end of the second arm. Gear surfaces on the yoke of the base and mating gear surfaces on the first end of the first arm may be used to selectively secure the first arm at a variety of angles with respect to the base when the first fastener is tightened. Similar gear surfaces may be used at the elbow between the first and second arms.

It will be understood that specific embodiments may include a variety of features in different combinations, as desired by different users. In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides an effective yet easy to use portable baby foot support for diaper changing. The specific techniques and structures for implementing particular embodiments of the invention and accomplishing the associated advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the appended drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The numerous advantages of the invention may be better understood with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baby foot support with a sliding arm.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the baby foot support with the sliding arm.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a baby foot support with a telescoping arm.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the baby foot support with the telescoping arm.

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of a baby foot support with an articulating arm.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the baby foot support with the articulating arm.

FIG. 7 is a perspective the baby foot support with the articulating arm in a different position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective the baby foot support with the articulating arm in a yet another position.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual illustration of the baby foot support with the sliding arm connected to a wall supporting a baby's feet during diaper changing.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual illustration of the baby foot support with the sliding arm connected to a wall supporting a baby's feet during diaper changing.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual illustration of the baby foot support with the articulating arm connected to a wall supporting a baby's feet during diaper changing.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual illustration of the baby foot support with the articulating arm connected to a wall supporting a baby's feet during diaper changing.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual illustration of the baby foot support with the sliding arm folded and carried in a diaper bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the invention include a portable baby foot support with a suction cup that can be easily attached and removed from flat surfaces, such as wall and tables, to assist in changing the baby's diaper. A support arm has a first end that connects to the base and a second end that connects to a pair of tethers. A pair of cuffs connected to the tethers removable attach around the ankles of a baby to support the baby's feet to assist on changing the baby's diaper. Several types of support arms are described including a two-part arm with a sliding connection between the arms, a telescoping arm, and an articulating arm. The device can be easily folded, telescoped and/or disassembled for storing and transporting the device, for example in a diaper bag. The folding, telescoping and demountable sections may be combined with each other and with fixed support arm sections, such as a fixed section extending from the base or supporting the tethers, as a matter of design choice to make other types of support arms. A range of fasteners may be utilized, such as captured or removable wing bolts. Other alternatives and modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view and FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a baby foot support 10 with a removable suction cup base 11 and a sliding arm 12. The user moves a lever to apply and remove suction to a suction cup in the base to attach and remove the base from a flat surface, such as a wall or table. A pair of tethers 13 a and 13 b attached to the opposing end of the baby foot support are attached to cuffs 14 a and 14 b that are removably secured around the baby's ankles to support the feet. In this example, a first support bar 16 with a channel through the bar is attached on one end by a first wing bolt 17 to the base 11. The opposing end of the first support bar 16 is attached to one end of a second support bar 18 by a second wing bolt 19. The tethers 13 a and 13 b are attached to the opposing end of the second support bar 18.

The first wing bolt 17 can be tightened and loosened to allow the first support bar 16 to be positioned at various angles with respect to the to the base 11. The second wing bolt 19 can be tightened and loosened to allow the second support bar 18 to be positioned at various places along the channel in the first support bar 16. The second wing bolt 19 also allows the second support bar 18 to be positioned at various angles with respect to the first support bar 16 and folded for easy stowing, for example in a diaper bag. The wing bolts may be captured to prevent them from becoming misplaced, if desired, or removable to facilitate disassembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view and FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an alternative baby foot support 30 with a telescoping arm 32. The telescoping arm 32 is attached to the base by a wing nut 34, which may be captured or removable as a matter of design choice. A removable wing nut allows the user to attach different types of support arms, which may be available for purchase as options.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view and FIG. 6 is an exploded view of another alternative baby foot support 50 with an articulating arm 52. FIGS. 7 and 8 show the arm in different positions to illustrate the versatility of the articulating arm. The telescoping arm 52 is attached to the base by a wing nut 54, which may be captured or removable as a matter of design choice. A yoke 55 on the base 11 has geared surfaces 56 that mate with gear surfaces 57 on the end of the articulating arm 52 to help maintain the position of the arm when the wing bolt 54 is tightened to hold the arm in place. Similar gear surfaces 58, 59 are utilized at the elbow of the articulating arm 52. FIGS. 4 and 5 also illustrate a base connection configuration in which the support arm 52 rotates in a vertical plane with respect to the base 11 positioned on a horizontal surface. FIGS. 1-4, on the other hand, illustrate another option in which the support arms 12, 32 rotate in a horizontal plane with respect to the base 11 positioned on a horizontal surface. Either base connection may be utilized with any of the support arms. A universal joint, such as a ball joint, is another option for the base connection. A universal joint may also be used at the elbow of any of the support arms. All of the potential connections between the support arm and the base allowing some range of motion between the base and the support arm are referred to as “yokes.”

To show how the baby foot support is used, FIG. 9 shows the baby foot support 10 and FIG. 10 shows the baby foot support 50 connected to a wall supporting a baby's feet during diaper changing. Similarly, FIG. 11 is shows the baby foot support 10 and FIG. 12 shows the baby foot support 50 connected to a table supporting a baby's feet during diaper changing. All of the embodiments are made to disassemble, telescope and/or fold for compact storage. To provide an illustrative example, FIG. 13 is a conceptual illustration of the baby foot support 10 with the sliding arm folded and carried in a diaper bag 130.

While wing bolts are inexpensive and convenient fasteners for the baby foot support, any other suitable type of fasteners may be utilized, such as thumb screws, captured bolts and wing nuts, ball detent mechanisms, push-button detent mechanisms, clip detent mechanisms, shoulder bolts, lever-operated clips, push-and-twist quick connectors, connector screws, split bolt screws, pivot joints, pinion yokes, U-bolts, J-bolts, and so forth. Although a range of materials may be utilized, certain materials are believed to be well suited for the baby foot support. For example, the suction cup base 11 may be manufactured from a durable plastic housing, such as ABS, PET, TPE, PVC, PA Nylon, Lexan and so forth. The suction cup may be made from silicon, latex, natural rubber, Nitrile, polyurethane, BENZ and so forth. The lever and linkage may be made from a durable plastic, such as those listed above, or a suitable metal, such has stainless or electroplated steel. The support arms 12, 32 and 52 and wing bolts 17, 19 may also be made from a durable plastic or metal, such as the materials listed above. The tethers may be elastic bands or cords similar to shoe laces made from any suitable material, such as cotton, polyester, acrylic, hemp, etc. The cuffs may be a plush cotton, polyester, velvet or other that soft material suitable for holding the baby's ankles. Velcro, elastic, snaps, clips or other fasteners may be used as a matter of design choice.

In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides significant improvements devices to assist in baby diaper changing. The foregoing relates only to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and that numerous changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A baby foot support for assisting in diaper changing, comprising: a base comprising a suction cup configured for removably attaching the base to a flat surface; a support arm with a first end configured to connect to the base and a second end configured for connection of tethers; a pair of tethers for connection to the second end of the support arm; a pair of cuffs, each for connection to one of the tethers, further configured for removable attachment around an ankle of a baby to support the baby's feet to assist on changing the baby's diaper.
 2. The baby foot support of claim 1, wherein the support arm comprises: a first bar with a channel through the first bar; a first fastener configured for attaching a first end of the first bar to a yoke of the base at various angles with respect to the base; a second bar; a second fastener configured for attaching a first end of the second bar at various positions along the channel of the first bar; and a second end of the second bar configured for attachment of the tethers.
 3. The baby foot support of claim 3, wherein the second fastener is further configured for attaching the second bar at various angles with respect to the first bar.
 4. The baby foot support of claim 3, wherein the first and second fasteners comprises captured wing bolts.
 5. The baby foot support of claim 3, wherein the first and second fasteners comprises removable wing bolts.
 6. The baby foot support of claim 1, wherein the support arm comprises a telescoping arm with a first end configured for attachment to the base and a second end configured for attachment of the tethers.
 7. The baby foot support of claim 6, further comprising a fastener for attaching the first end of the telescoping arm to a yoke of the base at various angles to the base.
 8. The baby foot support of claim 7, wherein the fastener comprises a captured wing bolt.
 9. The baby foot support of claim 7, wherein the fastener comprises a removable wing bolt.
 10. The baby foot support of claim 1, wherein the support arm comprises an articulating arm.
 11. The baby foot support of claim 10, wherein the articulating arm comprises: a first arm; a first fastener for attaching a first end of the first arm to a yoke of the base at various angles to the base; a second arm; a second fastener for attaching a second end of the first arm to a first end of the second arm at various angles to the first arm; and a second end of the second arm configured for attachment of the tethers.
 12. The baby foot support of claim 11, further comprising: gear surfaces on the yoke of the base and mating gear surfaces on the first end of the first arm for selectively securing the first arm at a variety of angles with respect to the base when the first fastener is tightened; and gear surfaces on the second end of the first arm and mating gear surfaces on the first end of the second arm for selectively securing the second arm at a variety of angles with respect to the first arm when the second fastener is tightened.
 13. The baby foot support of claim 12, wherein the first and second fasteners comprises captured or removable wing bolts.
 14. The baby foot support of claim 12, further configured for folding, telescoping or disassembling to facilitate storing and transporting the baby foot support.
 15. A baby foot support for assisting in diaper changing, comprising: a base comprising a suction cup configured for removably attaching the base to a flat surface; a support arm connected at one end to the base; comprising: a first bar with a channel through the first bar; a first fastener for attaching a first end of the first bar to a yoke of the base at various angles with respect to the base; a second bar; a second fastener for attaching a first end of a second bar to the channel at various positions along the channel and at various angles with respect to the first bar; a pair of tethers connected to a second end of the second arm; a pair of cuffs, each connected to one of the tethers and configured for removable attachment around an ankle of a baby to support the baby's feet to assist on changing the baby's diaper.
 16. The baby foot support of claim 15, wherein the first and second fasteners comprises captured or removable wing bolts.
 17. The baby foot support of claim 15, further configured for folding, telescoping or disassembling to facilitate storing and transporting the baby foot support.
 18. A baby foot support for assisting in diaper changing, comprising: a base comprising a suction cup configured for removably attaching the base to a flat surface; an articulating arm, comprising: a first arm, a first fastener attaching a first end of the first arm to the base; gear surfaces on a yoke of the base and mating gear surfaces on the first end of the first arm for selectively securing the first arm at a variety of angles with respect to the base when the first fastener is tightened; a second arm; a second fastener attaching a second end of the first arm to a first end of the second arm, gear surfaces on the second end of the first arm and mating gear surfaces on the first end of the second arm for selectively securing the second arm at a variety of angles with respect to the first arm when the second fastener is tightened, a second end of the second arm configured for attachment of tethers; a pair of tethers connected to the second end of the second arm; a pair of cuffs, each connected to one of the tethers and configured for removable attachment around an ankle of a baby to support the baby's feet to assist on changing the baby's diaper.
 19. The baby foot support of claim 18, wherein the first and second fasteners comprises captured or removable wing bolts.
 20. The baby foot support of claim 18, further configured for folding, telescoping or disassembling to facilitate storing and transporting the baby foot support. 